I AM in despair about the irresponsibility of the council’s decision to lay old-style flags on the pavements along St George’s Road in Bolton outside the flats and the URC Church.

They are the most dangerous type of paving stones I have seen for many years as they are uneven, full of irregular indentations and ridges, about half an inch deep in some cases, which fill with water when raining and are a potential cause of tripping or slipping.

Uneven bedding of the flags has created many more trip hazards at the joints. I understood we were in an era of concern for public health and safety, but already I know of two people who have fallen as a result of the uneven surface and I feel certain there will be many more in the months ahead. I cannot comprehend how such a scheme was ever approved in this age of health and safety and I fear the council will be receiving many claims for compensation in the future as a result of bad accidents.

It is not just the younger generation wearing high heels who will be at risk, but also the older generation who are not quite so steady on their feet. The surface is akin to a Lake District path on natural stone slabs, but there people wear boots for safety!

If the intention is to create a new image, to make the area more scenic for tourists, then I think it is pointless. Areas such as Churchgate or Barrow Bridge have a certain appeal in the style of the properties, and may therefore justify some restoration of older features. But there is no such appeal in St George’s Road and I suggest people only walk along there in the course of their business or daily lives, and would prefer a safe surface. No one is going to visit St George’s Road because of a new pavement!

When there are so many roads around the Bolton area which resemble those in Third World countries, it is time someone in the engineering department spent the money repairing dangerous potholes and ruts in the roads or broken pavements instead of wasting taxpayers’ money with thoughtless schemes.

Jan Macnab Braybrook Drive Bolton